Caron Butler Ruled Out for Round 2

The Mavs will somehow attempt to slow Kobe Bryant down in the second round, but will have to do so without Caron Butler, who despite some speculation that he might play, has officially been ruled out of Round 2. Via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told a local radio show Friday that forward Caron Butler has a ‘zero’chance of playing in the Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Lakers. ‘He’s not going to play in this series,’ Carlisle told Galloway and Company on ESPN/103.3 FM. Butler ruptured his right patellar tendon in January and has yet to be cleared by a doctor to return.”